Save Article

The Red-Tape 'Spaghetti Bowl' Hurts Trade

One country producing a good from start to finish for export? That idea is obsolete.

By

Razeen Sally

May 28, 2013 6:44 p.m. ET

Suddenly trade policy is in the news again after years of neglect. In April, Japan announced it would participate in negotiations toward a U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Washington and Brussels in January announced they would start negotiating a U.S.-European Union deal. Asian governments are working toward their own regional trade pact. And by the end of the year, Roberto Azevedo, the incoming head of the World Trade Organization, aims to partially resuscitate the moribund Doha Round.